Laundry agent dispensing device



Sept. 7, 1965 v, A. BUTLER ETAL 3,204,831

LAUNDRY AGENT DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 4, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet lSept. 7, 1965 v. A. BUTLER ETAL LAUNDRY AGENT DISPENSING DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 I lllllllll INVENTOR.

p 965 v. A. BUTLER ETAL 3,204,831

' LAUNDRY AGENT DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 4, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1ATT: oR fiEYs United States Patent 3,204,831 LAUNDRY AGENT DISPENSHNGDEVICE Vernon A. Butler, St. Joseph, and Charles H. Wade, Benton Harbor,Mich, assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich, acorporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 270,654 16 Claims.(Cl. 222- 193) This invention relates to a dispenser apparatus and moreparticularly to a self-cleaning laundering agent dispenser particularlysuited for application to a home appliance such as a laundry machine,dishwasher, or dry cleaner. The dispenser apparatus of the presentinvention is economical in manufacture, simple to use, easilyaccessible, dependable in operation and self-cleaning.

Although the present invention may have utility in many environments, ithas particular utility when applied to a laundry machine of thehorizontal axis type having an enclosure including a horizontal toppanel. An opening is formed in the top panel above a treatment zone ortop portion of the machine and a depending flange is formed integrallywith the top panel surrounding the openmg.

The flange forms a seat for a top portion of the dispenser such that thedispenser can be inserted downwardly through the opening formed in thetop panel of the machine and will come to rest and seat upon the flangesurrounding the opening. Inserted thusly, no portion of the dispenserprotrudes above the top panel of the machine. A hinged access door canbe provided in the top panel for covering the opening such that when thedoor is closed the top surface of the door is coplanar with the topsurface of the top panel of the machine. Arranged in this manner, thedispenser apparatus will not interfere with laundry operations, can beinserted and removed easily and laundering agent can be added to thedispenser from the top of the machine. Further, the opening to thedispenser can be covered with the hinged door, thereby affording a fiatwork surface on the top of the machine and preventing undesirablematerial or solutions from being dropped inadvertently into thedispenser.

The dispenser apparatus of the present invention comprises essentiallyan outer portion or housing and an inner portion or cup residing withinthe outer portion. Rib members formed integrally with the inner wall ofthe housing support the cup such that there is generally a spacedrelation between the housing and cup. An inlet is formed in a side Wallof the housing to which is con nected a recirculating liquid hose. Thecup also has an opening in a side wall which is partially in registrywith the inlet of the housing such that when the circulating hose isfeeding washing liquid into the housing, part of this liquid will enterthe cup and mix with the laundering agent that has been depositedtherein. The laundering agent used herein is preferably of granular,powdered or pellet form and may be any additive such as detergent,bleach, rinse conditioner or any other additives that are frequentlyused in the laundering process. An outlet port in a bottom wall of thecup will allow the mixture of liquid and laundering agent to flowdownwardly into the housing of the dispenser where this mixture becomesadmixed with the washing liquid which enters the housing but does notenter the cup. An outlet in a bottom wall of the housing allows theentire mixture to flow downwardly into the treatment zone of the machineto aid in conditioning the clothes or other material in the treatmentzone.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adispenser which is located so that it will not interfere with laundryoperations, such as loading and unloading the machine, but is easilyaccessible from the top of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which can beinserted and removed easily and quickly, and will not protrude from themachine enclosure. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser into which acomplete laundering agent charge can be pre-charged but which willafford gradual and complete mixing of the laundering agent with thewashing liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which mixesthe laundering agent and the washing liquid before the mixture entersthe treatment zone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which isself-cleaning and obviates the need for periodic manual cleaning by themachine operator.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects will becomemanifiest to those versed in the art from the detailed description ofthe invention which follows.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a laundry machine incorporating a dispenseraccording to the present invention with part of the machine shown insection;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the outer portion of the dispenser of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the outer portion of the dispenser of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser of the presentinvention taken along lines VV of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the dispenser of the presentinvention taken along lines VI-VI of FIGURE 5.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring now to the drawings, in order to exemplify an illustrativeoperating environment, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a washing or laundrymachine as designated by reference numeral 10, which may provide forautomatic washing, rinsing and extracting cycles. A cabinet 11 enclosesthe machine and housed within the cabinet is a tub 12 forming atreatment zone Z adapted to confine a quantity of water or laundryliquid therein. Rotatably journaled within the tub is a forminousreceptacle or wash basket 13 with tumbling baffles 91 adapted to carryclothes or other material to be laundered. The basket 13 rotates on ahorizontal axis which is perpendicular to a front panel 14 of thecabinet.

For the purpose of loading and unloading the machine a front panel 14 ofthe cabinet is provided with a closure door 16 which is hingedly mountedon the cabinet and which allows access to the inside of the basket 13.Hydraulic circuitry is provided to admit hot and cold water to thetreatment Zone and to recirculate and discharge laundry liquid. Thiscircuitry comprises hot and cold inlet pipes 17 and 18, respectively,which connect to a source of hot and cold water. The inlet pipes 17 and18 communicate with a temperature control valve 19 to which connects adischarge nozzle 20 for directing the flow of water into the tub ortreatment zone Z.

The lowermost portion of the tub 12 is shaped to form a sump S having anoutlet 21 opening into a conduit 22 which is connected to the suctionside of a pump 23. The discharge side of the pump is connected toa'discharge pipe 24 leading to a two-way valve 26 which can bepositioned to open to a drain pipe 27 or a recirculating conduit 28. Theconduit 28 has a T at 29 to which is connected a downwardly extendingbranch conduit 30 connected to a nozzle at 31 and an upwardly extendingbranch pipe 32. The nozzle 31 is positioned to project a continuousstream of laundry liquid into the interior of the drum or receptacle 13,thereby to wet the materials being conditioned therein as a part of thewashing or rinsing operation.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention aself-cleaning laundering agent dispenser 33 is mounted within thecabinet 11 under a top panel 34. The upwardly extending branch pipe 32connects to an inlet 36 of the dispenser 33. An access door 38 ishingedly mounted on the top panel 34 and is arranged in registry withthe dispenser 33, thereby providing an access opening for depositinglaundering agent material within the dispenser 33 and for movingremovable components of the dispenser from the cabinet.

It will be understood that the laundry machine may be provided with asequential controller 80 (FIGURE 1) for the automatic operation of themachine through a series of washing, rinsing and extracting cycles, orin the event the machine is a combination washer-dryer, through anadditional drying cycle. Material to be laundered, such as clothing, isloaded into the basket 13 through the access door 16 and a charge oflaundry additive is placed within the dispenser 33 through the accessdoor 38. The sequential controller then may be preset for selection of adesired program. During the cycle, hot and cold water will be chargedinto the machine through the temperature control valve 19 and will becirculated through the treatment zone Z via the nozzle 31. The pump 23will draw water which accumulates in the sump S and discharge it throughthe outlet 21 into the conduit 24. At the beginning of a wash cycle, thetwo-way valve 26 will be positioned to close the drain conduit 27 andall the laundry liquid will therefore pass into the conduit 28 to the T29. The flow of liquid will divide at the T 29, a portion beingrecirculated through the conduit 30 to the nozzle 31. The remainder willflow into the upwardly extending branch conduit 32 and will enter thedispenser 33 at the inlet 36. The liquid entering the dispenser at 36becomes admixed with the laundry additive previously placed in thedispenser, and the mixture of water and additive will then flow from thedispenser at the outlet 37 (FIGURE 1), through conduit 92 into thetreatment zone Z of the machine 10.

Referring to FIGURES 2-6 the dispenser assembly of the present inventionconsists generally of an outer housing 39 and an inner housing 40.

The housings 39 and 40 constitute inner and outer nested parts which areboth generally cup-shaped in configuration and which are provided withside walls and bottom walls. Moreover, the inner housing 40 is adaptedto be removable and portable, while the outer housing 39 is adapted tobe permanently mounted in the machine 10. Thus the inner housing 40 isslidably removable from the outer housing 39 by lifting it upwardly outof the housing 39 through the access door 38.

The dispenser outer housing 39 comprises a body portion 41 having sidewalls 44 which are generally vertically upright, there being a radiallyoutwardly projecting boss 81 notched on its upper surface as at 82,thereby to form a mating recess in which is received a correspondinglynotched surface 83 of a boss 84 formed on an upper rim member 86 whichforms a collar 42 surrounding the upper portion of the housing 39. Theouter peripheral surface of the body portion 41 and the collar 42 tapersinwardly away from the boss 84.

The collar 42 has an upper lip forming a throat 61 having a curvatesurface and prescribed by a reversely turned flange 87. The flange 87 isintegrated with the collar 42 by means of four spaced ribs 88. The rimmember 86 and the body portion 41 are secured together in firm assemblyby suitable means, for example, by utilizing an epoxy resin between themated notched surfaces 82 and 83.

The dispenser 33 may be mounted in the machine by locating the same inan opening 89 formed in a bracket or in an upper wall 51 of the machinecasing, for example, by means of a mounting gasket shown at 90.

' wall.

To additionally support the outer housing 39 in the machine '10,outwardly projecting bosses are formed as at 45 for engaging againstadjoining support surfaces provided in the machine '10. A transitionportion 46 of the body portion 41 is arcuately shaped to form agenerally curved sloping surface between the side wall 44 and a slopingbottom wall 43.

In order to introduce washing liquid into the dispenser housing from thebranch pipe 32 a nipple 47 extends laterally outwardly from the sidewall 44 and connects to the end of the branch pipe 32. From the planview of FIGURE 6 it will be noted the nipple 47 connects to the sidewall 44 at an opening 48 formed in the side wall and is generallytangentially disposed to the side walls of the housing parts. Liquidbeing introduced into the dispenser 33 from the nipple 47 will therebybe directed substantially around the inner periphery of the side wall44.

To allow for drainage of the mixture of laundry additive and liquid fromthe dispenser the bottom wall 43 assumes a generally slopingconfiguration toward a nozzle or spout 49 which extends downwardly fromthe bottom wall 43 at one side thereof. The bottom portion of the nozzle49 forms a substantially circular port or outlet opening 50 positionedwithin the laundry machine above the tub 12, such that liquid enteringthe dispenser through the nipple 47 and mixing with the laundry additivecontained within the dispenser will drain downwardly through the nozzle49 into the tub.

To create turbulence within the liquid stream as it enters the dispenserthrough the nipple 47, and to support and carry the inner housing 40with the walls in spaced apart relation, the inside surface of the sidewall 44 has formed thereon a plurality of vertical rib members 52disposed in spaced relation around the inner periphery of the side wall44 and extending inwardly from the side Thus, the ribs 52 provide anannular swirl chamber between the housings. Additionally, the ribs 52impede the flow of liquid and provide a thorough mixture of the liquidand laundry additive before the mixture drains from the nozzle 49.

The inner housing 40 has vertical side walls 54 terminating at an upperreversely turned curved lip forming a throat 62. The inner housing 40further includes a lower wall 58 which slopes angularly downwardlytowards an outlet opening 59 disposed at one side of the inner hous- 7ing 40 in offset relation to the center axis thereof. Since the outlet50 of the outer housing is similarly offset, the inner and outerhousings 40 and 39 can be nested with the respective outlets 59 and 50aligned on opposite sides of the dispenser axis, thereby to preventadditives from running out of the dispenser 33 until such time as acarrier stream of liquid is directed into the inlet 47.

In order to further provide for gradual and thorough mixing of theadditive and the liquid the charge is actually deposited in the innerhousing 40 of the dispenser which resides within the outer housing 39.

The cup 40 is mounted within the housing by utilizing a plurality ofvertically extending grooves 53 formed in the outer surface of the sidewall 54 of the cup 40. The grooves 53 are arranged in alignment with theribs 52 of the housing 39 and are suitably formed to allow for slidingengagement therewith. At the upper extremity of each of the grooves 53the side wall 54 has formed a flat surface or shoulder 56 forming anabutment to engage a complementarily formed shoulder 57 on each rib 52.Thus, the cup 40 can be inserted downwardly into the housing 39 byproperly aligning grooves 53 0f the side wall 54 of the cup with the ribmembers 52 of the housing and moving the cup downwardly into the housinguntil the flat surfaces 56 at the upper extremity of the grooves 53engage the shoulders 57 of the ribs 52. The grooves 53 and rib members52 are located in position opening 59 offset with opening 50 when innerhousing 40 is properly installed.

A bafiie member 93 is located on the inner wall of outer housing 39 nearinlet 47 to direct part of the entering stream of liquid towards thebottom wall thereby accomplishing a thorough washing action of the outerhousing.

In its installed position, a downwardly sloping bot? tom wall 58 of thecup 40 is in spaced relation with the bottom wall 43 of the housing 39and is arranged to slope in a direction opposite the slope of the bottomwall of the housing.

Disposed intermediate outlet openings 50 and 59 and projecting upwardlyfrom the bottom wall 43 of the outer housing 39 are two bafiles and 61.When additive is charged into the inner housing 40, it will tend to runout of the opening 59 and onto the sloping wall 43. Thus, the baflles 15and 61 prevent the additive from discharging gravitationally into thenozzle 49. The bafiles 15 and 61 are shown in FIGURE 3 as havingopposite extremities 15a and 15b, 61a and 61b respectively disposed onopposite sides of the opening 59 and curve arcuately therebetween withdepths shown in FIGURE 5 sufiicient to deter premature gravitationaldischarge of the additive, but without interfering with the purging ofthe dispenser under the influence of a carrier stream.

To provide for introduction of a carrier stream of liquid into theinterior of the cup 40 a portion of the cup side wall 54 has formedtherein an aperture or inlet opening 60 which is in partial registrywith the opening 48 of the side wall of the housing. The alignment ofthe aperture 60 and the opening 48 is arranged so that a portion of theliquid entering the dispenser 33 through the nipple 47 will be divertedinto the interior of the inside housing 40 to mix with an additivecharge deposited therein, and the remainder of the liquid will flowbetween the side wall 54 of the inner housing 39 and the side wall 44 ofthe outer housing 39. It will be understood that the liquid entering theinner housing 40 through the aperture 60 will be directed along theinside periphery of the cup side wall 54 and will develop a swirlingmotion as it mixes with the additive deposited on the bottom wall 58.The mixture of additive and liquid will be discharged from the opening59 into the bottom wall of the cup into the outer portion or housing 39of the dispenser. As the mixture of additive and liquid flows from thecup through the opening 59 it will become admixed with that portion ofthe liquid which enters the opening 48 and flows directly into the outerhousing 39. Moreover, as the carrier stream enters the outer housing 39,the additive subjacent the opening 59 will be washed away, therebyfacilitating discharge of the cup contents through the opening 59 intothe outer housing 39.

The flange 87 forms a shroud which will entrap any liquid circulatingbetween the side wall of the housing and the cup and prevent splashingupwardly out of the dispenser 33. Instead, any such liquid impingingupon the inside wall 63 of the shroud 61 will be directed downwardly inthe space between the side walls of the housing and the cup to thebottom wall of the dispenser and will thereafter flow through the nozzle49. The lip 62 likewise functions as a shroud to entrap any liquidwithin the cup which may splash or swirl upwardly along the side wall 54thereof and will redirect this liquid downwardly into the cup to flowthrough the opening 59.

Since the recesses 53 are formed as embossments in the side wall 54, theinner surface of the wall 54 has vertical rib members 66 which have theeffect of creating turbulence within the cup 40 to provide for thoroughmixing between the liquid carrier entering through the aperture 60 andthe additive charge deposited within the cup, and also assist ineffecting complete self-cleaning of the cup. Thus, as liquid enters thecup through aperture 60 it will assume an essentially peripheral flowaround the inside of the cup side wall 54. Impingement with the ribs 66will have a dampening effect on the flow stream of the liquid. Thiseffect will cause reduction in velocity to a portion of the liquid whichwill then fiow downwardly to the bottom wall 58.

There has been provided a dispenser assembly which is exceptionallysimple in construction, provides for thorough mixing of additive andliquid before the mixture enters the treatment zone or tub of themachine, is easily charged with additive, does not interfere with theloading and unloading operations of the machine, and is securelymaintained in position without any tendency to dislodge during operationof the machine.

Further, the swirling and turbulent flow of the recirculated liquid bothwithin the cup and the housing provides for positive self-cleaning ofthe dispenser without requiring additional fresh water. The cup can beremoved from the housing of the dispenser for easy manual cleaning ofthe dispenser should any foreign particles become entrapped therein.

Although various minor modifications might be apparent to those skilledin the art, it is to be understood that we wish to embody within thescope of the patent warranted herein all such embodiments as reasonablyand properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A dispenser comprising inner and outer cup-shaped housings nestedtogether, said housings being spaced from each other and having spacedapart upright side walls and oppositely sloping spaced apart lower wallsto form a swirl chamber between the housings and non-registering oultetopenings at the lower end of each corresponding lower wall, and meansfor injecting a carrier stream of liquid into said swirl chamber,whereby additive charged into said inner housing will be washed into theoutlet opening of the outer housing for discharge to a point ofutilization.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, said housings having generallyupstanding side walls and said lower walls sloping generally downwardly,said means for injecting a carrier stream of liquid into said swirlchamber comprising a tubular inlet disposed generally tangentially withrespect to said outer housing, thereby to swirl the carrier streamthrough the swirl chamber between said housings.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 2, said inner housing having anopening in its side wall at least partially registering with saidtubular inlet to receive a portion of the liquid carrier stream, therebyrendering the dispenser self-cleaning.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, said inner and outer housingshaving mating ribs and recesses to retain said housings in spaced nestedassembly, thereby to form an annular chamber surrounding the innerhousing.

5. A dispenser comprising a cup-shaped housing having an upstanding sidewall with an inlet, an upper portion forming a first opening, and alower wall with an outlet, a connector nipple connected to said inlet insaid side wall of said housing for introducing liquid into saiddispenser, and a cup carried within said housing for holding a charge ofadditive therein, said cup having an upper portion with an opening inregister with said first opening, .a lower portion with an outlet and animperforate side wall with an aperture partially in register with saidinlet of said side wall of said housing, whereby a portion of saidliquid introduced into said dispenser through said connector nipple willmix with said additive in said cup and all of the liquid and saidadditive will be discharged from the outlet of said housing.

6. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a bottom wall with an outlet formed therein, said bottomwall sloping toward said outlet, an upstanding wall extending upwardlyfrom said bottom wall and forming a supply opening at the top thereof,said wall forming liquid inlet opening intermediate said supply openingand said bottom wall through which a carrier stream may be directed, anda cup constituted of fluid-impervious material for holding a charge ofadditive carried within said housing, said cup having a bottom wall inspaced relation to said bottom wall of said housing and having an outletformed therein, said bottom wall of said cup sloping toward said outletof said cup in a plane generally transversely of said slope of saidbottom wall of said housing, an upstanding wall extending upwardly fromsaid bottom wall of said cup and forming a supply opening at the topthereof, said supply opening of said cup being in register with saidsupply opening of said housing, said wall of said cup having an aperturein partial register with said inlet opening in said wall of said housingwhereby a portion of the liquid will enter said cup and flow from saidcup to said outlet of said housing.

7. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a sloping bottom wall and an upstanding side wallextending upwardly from said bottom wall and having a top portion, anannular collar affixed to said top portion and having an inwardly curvedshroud forming a supply opening, and a cup removably positioned withinsaid housing having a sloping bottom wall and an upstanding side wallextending upwardly from said bottom Wall and having a top portion, saidupstanding wall of said cup having a top portion forming an inwardlycurved shroud, and means to inject a liquid carrier stream tangentiallythrough the side walls to wash a charge of additive out of said cup.

8. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a sloping bottom wall and an upstanding wall extendingupwardly from said bottom wall and having a top portion, an annularcollar afiixed to saidtop portion and having an inwardly curved shroudforming a supply opening and a splash deflector, said bottom wall havinga spout depending therefrom, said upstanding wall having a liquid inletopening below said collar through which a carrier stream may bedirected, and a cup removably positioned within said housing having asloping bottom wall and an upstanding wall extending upwardly from saidbottom wall and having a top portion, said upstanding wall of said cuphaving a top portion forming an inwardly curved shroud, said shroud ofsaid cup forming a supply opening in register with said supply openingof said housing, and said upstanding wall of said cup having an apertureformed therein in partial register with said liquid inlet opening ofsaid upstanding wall of said housing, whereby the carrier stream willclean the interior of the cup during the dispensing of additive fromsaid cup.

9. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a substantially cylindrical side wall, a sloping bottomwall and an outlet opening, a cup removably positioned within saidhousing in spaced relation thereto to form a swirl chamber therebetweenand having a sloping bottom wall forming an outlet opening, said bottomwall of said cup sloping in a direction generally transversely of saidslope of said bottom wall of said housing, said outlet openings of saidhousing and said cup being in axially and radially displaced positionrelative to each other, and means directing a carrier stream initiallyinto said swirl chamber, thereby to wash the additive charged into saidcup out of the housing outlet.

10. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a continuous side wall and a bottom wall, at least oneridge extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said bottom wall formingan opening on one side of said ridge, a cup removably positioned withinsaid housing, said cup having a side wall disposed in spaced relation tothe side wall of said housing to form a swirl chamber therebetween andhaving a bottom wall forming an opening on the other side of said ridge,whereby the contents of said cup will not be discharged gravitationally,and means for injecting a carrier stream of liquid initially into saidswirl chamber, thereby to discharge the contents of said dispenser.

11. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a substantially cylindrical side wall and a slopingbottom wall, and bottom wall having an outlet formed therein, aplurality of rib members arranged in spaced relation around the innerperiphery of said side wall and fixedly connected thereto and extendinginwardly therefrom, said rib members forming shoulders at the topportions thereof, and a cup removably positioned within said housing andhaving a side wall and a sloping bottom wall, said bottom wall of saidcup having an outlet formed therein, said side wall of said cup having aplurality of grooves arranged in spaced relation around the outerperiphery thereof and shaped complementarily to said rib members of saidhousing, said side Wall of said cup forming a flat surface at a topportion of each of said grooves and adapted to engage in abuttingrelation said shoulders formed by said rib members, and means to directa liquid carrier stream into said housing, thereby to wash the contentsof said cup into the washing machine.

12. An additive dispenser for a washing machine comprising a dispenserhousing having a substantially cylindrical side wall and a slopingbottom wall, said bottom wall having at least one arcuately shaped ridgeextending upwardly therefrom, said bottom wall having an outlet openingon one side of said ridge and being angularly inclined to slope towardsaid outlet opening, said side wall having an inlet opening formedtherein for introducing liquid into said dispenser, a plurality of ribmembers arranged in spaced relation around the inner periphery of saidside wall and extending inwardly therefrom, said rib members formingshoulders at the top portions thereof, a cup for holding a charge ofadditive removably positioned within said housing and insertable thereinthrough the top of said housing, said cup having a substantiallycylindrical said wall and a sloping bottom wall, said side wall of saidcup having a plurality of grooves arranged in spaced relation around theouter periphery thereof and shaped complementarily to said rib membersof said housing for mated relation therewith, said side wall of said cupforming a flat surface at a top portion of each of said grooves andadapted to engage in abutting relation said shoulders formed by said ribmembers of said housing, said side wall of said cup forming a pluralityof rib members arranged around the inner periphery of said cup and spaceopposite said grooves, said side wall of said cup having an apertureformed therein in partial registry with said inlet opening of saidhousing for introducing liquid into said cup, and said bottom wall ofsaid cup having an outlet opening formed therein on the other side ofsaid ridge and being angularly inclined to slope toward said outletopening of said cup.

13. A laundry machine comprising, means forming a treatment zone, liquidconduit means for controlling the flow of laundry liquid into saidtreatment zone, and an additive dispenser in said machine comprising, ahousing comprising an upstanding side wall and having an outlet formedin the bottom thereof discharging into said treatment zone, and a cupinserted into said housing for receiving a charge of additive, said cupcomprising an upstanding side wall disposed in spaced relation to theside wall of said housing to form a swirl chamber therebetween incommunication with said inlet for receiving a stream of laundry liquidand having an outlet in the bottom thereof offset out of register withsaid housing outlet, said side wall of said housing having meansdirecting the laundry liquid initially into said swirl chamber, wherebythe contents of said cup will not be discharged gravitationally but willwash out when laundry liquid is directed through said dispenser.

14. A laundry machine as defined in claim 13 and a sequential controllerfor automatically regulating the machine through a programmed sequenceof periods including a washing period, and a pump for driving a streamof laundry liquid through said conduit means during said washing periodand being controlled by said sequential controller, whereby the additivewill be added when the pump operates.

15. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said housings arecylindrically shaped and wherein said outlet openings in said lowerwalls are axially and radially displaced relative to each other.

16. The dispenser as defined in claim 1 and including at least oneupstanding bafile formed in said lower wall of said outer housing anddisposed axially between said non-registering outlet openings, therebyto prevent premature gravitational discharge of the additive.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,038,260 4/36Ash 68-17 X 5 2,062,704 12/36 Forsyth 13493 2,090,755 8/37 Halpern 134932,643,537 6/53 Woodson 6817 2,802,599 8/57 Callahan et a1 222129.4 X

2,927,600 3/60 Pellerin 222-193 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,116,987 2/56 France.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

15 HADD S. LANE, RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiners.

1. A DISPENSER COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER CUP-SHAPED HOUSING NESTEDTOGETHER, SAID HOUSINGS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND HAVING SPACEDAPART UPRIGHT SIDE WALLS AND OPPOSITELY SLOPING SPACED APART LOWER WALLSTO FORM A SWIRL CHAMBER BETWEEN THE HOUSINGS AND NON-REGISTERING OUTLETOPENINGS AT THE LOWER END OF EACH CORRESPONDING LOWER WALL, AND MEANSFOR INJECTING A CARRIER STREAM OF LIQUID INTO SAID SWIRL CHAMBER,WHEREBY ADDITIVE CHARGED INTO SAID INNER HOUSING WILL BE WASHED INTO THEOUTLET OPENING OF THE OUTER HOUSING FOR DISCHARGE TO A POINT OFUTILIZATION.